There is one thing that stands out about the Maple Leafs this season, as compared with last season: They are simply not a difficult team to play against.

Even though they started the week leading the league in hits (1,031), they are not tough. The Leafs also lead the league in giveaways (275), an indication they can be beaten off the puck, as they were routinely in facing the Bruins on Sunday night.

It probably matters a little that other players don’t bother engaging Frazer McLaren in a fight. The other player would lose.

It probably matters that Colton Orr is out with a bad elbow, but even before, he wasn’t fighting as much, perhaps spooked by concussing George Parros in the season opener.

Now, fighting has its detractors. But Leafs coach Randy Carlyle is not one of them.

Last season, Carlyle effectively used his fighters to motivate his other players. If Orr and McLaren were willing to go to war, the logic went, then maybe defenders can check a little harder, shooters could go to the net harder, back-checkers could skate a little faster.

So the fourth line — the energy line — is not providing the same kind of energy that used to filter up the lineup.

And top lines are a little soft. Phil Kessel has 14 hits and seven blocked shots, lowest among Leaf regulars. Mason Raymond has 16 hits and eight blocked shots.

David Clarkson, added as a free agent for his grit, has seemed lost. He’s willing to fight, but really he should be more of a physical presence.

Nazem Kadri has upped his physical side, but that has translated simply into more penalties.

Maybe it also matters that the Leafs feel burned by suspensions. Kessel (three preseason games), Clarkson (10 games to start the season), Kadri (three games for running a goalie) and Carter Ashton (two games for boarding) have all been suspended so far.

Leafs seem to lose more battles for loose pucks than they win. They seem unwilling to pay the price physically. What they end up doing is taking penalties when they lose the puck and that problem has taken on a life of its own.

If players can get away with playing on the perimeter, they will. The ease with which the Leafs scored early in the season let them take shortcuts. They can’t take shortcuts any longer.

RIELLY AND GARDINER TOGETHER: THE FUTURE

There was a shift or two a while back that had the Leafs play Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner together. Two young, fast-skating, puckmoving, offensive-minded offence-minded defencemen.

They have a chance — down the road — to be magical.

But until they learn to play Carlyle’s way — get physical, limit mistakes — they won’t play together very often.

“With them, they both have the ability that stands out, they both can skate very well,” said Carlyle. “They’re good skaters. They’re both offensive, that’s what catches you off the bat.

“Can you afford to play two young guys together like that? That’ll be a test for the future. I know we’re not going to do it now.”

THE RIELLY CONUNDRUM

The early reviews are very positive for John-Michael Liles. It’s admittedly a small sample size, but Paul Ranger seemed more at home with Liles than he did with Morgan Rielly. Maybe Ranger was pre-occupied with playing with a rookie. But if Liles has a calming presence, all the better.

Rielly, with no goals and nine assists, may well be regressing. He’s a healthy scratch more often than not lately, and what good is that to the development of a young player?

“There is a learning curve that takes place to play defence in the NHL from playing major junior hockey,” said Leafs coach Randy Carlyle. “We understand that. There are going to be speed bumps along the way. There are going to peaks and valleys.

“Our advice to him is to maintain his confidence as high as he can possibly. Work on the things that he does well. He’s a skater. He can move the puck effectively. He sees the play. Do those things effectively. Do them through commitment to making the hard play when you determine that’s the play you want to make. Don’t make mistakes from being soft. Move the puck effectively, briskly and as firmly as you desire. But don’t make a soft play.”

The games are only going to get tougher as the season progresses, so perhaps it’s time to go with the veterans, let Rielly play with his age-group, first at the world junior championships, then back to major junior. Besides, if things are going badly, you don’t really want a rookie around anyway.

The Leafs also have another call to make on Rielly. If he is on the NHL roster for 40 games (he doesn’t have to play all 40 games, just be on the roster), he is one year closer to unrestricted free agency. They’ve already burned the first year of his entry-level deal when he played his 10th game. Game 40 looms Dec. 27, versus Buffalo.

A stint for Rielly loaned to the world junior team can delay that.

THE FUTURE OF DEFENCE

It’s asking far too much for Liles to turn around the defence himself. He’s a decent 18-minutes-a-game defender and second option on the power play. But he’s not physical, at least in the way we’ve come to expect from Randy Carlyle-coached teams.

Mark Fraser is supposed to be that physical defenceman, but seems not to be the same player he was last year. It can’t have helped that he’s missed so much time, but when he’s a healthy scratch, it might be time to look elsewhere.

It may not be a matter of looking for a trade, but looking more to the Marlies. The scouting reports on the next wave of Leaf defencemen are positive: Petter Granberg; Andrew MacWilliam; and Stuart Percy.

Granberg is the all-round choice.

“Petter is going to have a long NHL career,” said Marlies coach Steve Spott. “He is extremely strong and physical. He is a typical Swedish defenceman where he is just so reliable. He is in the line of those great Swedish players were great international players. He will be a great player for the Toronto Maple Leafs for a lot of years to come.

“A great shutdown safe reliable player.”

Granberg, at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, is in his first year with the Marlies.

There was considerable buzz surrounding MacWilliam, a bruising defender. He has had some injury problems, notably a bad shoulder and sore ankle. At 6-2, 230, he has 41 PIMs in 15 games.

“On the ice, he gives you that Mark Fraser approach. He is physical. He is hard to play against,” said Spott.

“He is absolutely fast enough. The feet are a non-issue.”

Then there is Percy. The former first-round pick is taking longer than some would like, but his game appears to be maturing.

“He is doing everything to answer the question of why he was a first-round NHL pick,” said Spott. “Elite hockey sense, he does everything efficiently. He is never out of position.

“We will continue to work with his physical strength, work with his quickness. But his hockey sense is elite. The one thing we can’t teach his hockey sense and his ability to be in the right position defensively. He simply has that. It is his greatest attribute.”

SABRES GM OPENING

Pat LaFontaine hasn’t asked for any advice, but that won’t stop us from offering it. He’s looking for a GM, kind of. But he wants to be the GM himself, kind of.

The problem: Most of the candidates want to be the front man — the general manager who brings the Sabres back from the brink. It’s a good situation: an owner who cares, a market that loves hockey, and a pool of young prospects and high draft picks.

No wonder there’s a long list of candidates.

But LaFontaine — who has very little front-office experience — sounds like he wants a behind-the-scenes GM who can teach him the ropes.

Finding that guy from that long list is the problem. Here’s a solution: Former Leaf GM John Ferguson Jr. He has a wealth of experience. He understands the cap. He’s been in the league forever. And he really doesn’t like talking to the media. He really doesn’t care to front-and-centre for the microphones.

This is not to say Ferguson is applying for the job. His name has not come up. He seems quite happy as the director of pro scouting for the San Jose Sharks.

But it’s a name that makes sense.

THE Q&A: JERRY D’AMIGO

LeafsBeat: What was it like to finally get the call?

D’Amigo: “It was amazing. I’ve been in the minors for three, three and a half years now and you’re just kind of sitting there waiting for your shot. And finally I got it. I was just shocked and excited and I couldn’t wait for the first game.

“It was everything I expected. I loved it. I loved every minute I played.”

LB: So what is the difference between the NHL in the AHL?

JDA: “I think the pace. I was trying to get the nerves off the first couple of shifts. But the pace was pretty quick. It’s a lot more structured. … You’ve got to be aware of that you got to make sure not to make a mistake and do your best.”

LB: At any point in the minors did you have self-doubt?

JDA: “There is always doubt. You’re playing mental games with your head. When am I going to get my shot? Am I good enough? Things like that. But it never stopped me from working. You always work hard and play hard because you never know when you’re going to get that shot. Like it was unexpected (when) I got my shot. I had to play that night. I want to make the most (of the) opportunity and stay as long as I can.”

LB: What was it like practicing on the first line in your first few days?

JDA: “Pretty exciting was unexpected. Obviously there are a few jokes about it going from the fourth line to the first line. Whatever happens, happens from this point on. I’m happy with whatever comes to me.”

LB: The book on you is that your real strength is your speed. Do you see it that way?

JDA: “Yeah, I’m trying to move my feet up there and trying to make it to make plays, make things happen every time I get to play. If I am doing that, that is going to be my strength to help this team.”

LB: Do you think getting called up is a boost not just for you but for other Marlies as well?

JDA: “I have played well for a good stretch of games. My numbers don’t show it, but I think I was playing hard. I was that spark and I think that’s what they want. They want a little energy boost as a fourth liner. You have to do that for your team.”

CARTER ASHTON DEVELOPMENT

While D’Amigo spent three years solid in the minors, Carter Ashton has been up and down like an elevator.

To be fair, Ashton has been far better this year than his first year, when the Leafs promoted him after acquiring him in a trade-deadline deal with Tampa. He seemed lost then and Carlyle acknowledges it might have been a mistake to have him play 15 games at the end of the 2011-12 season.

“In retrospect, it probably didn’t do him as much good as we thought,” said Carlyle. “We didn’t plan on him having to stay with us until the end of the year.”

The Leafs were forced to keep Ashton because they’d used three of their four post-trade-deadline call-ups due to injuries.

Ashton played the entire 2012-13 season in the AHL and won a spot out of camp this year, although he’s been up and down for most of the season.

“People develop at different rates,” said Carlyle. “There’s a lot more pressure for a young player to come in and play in the NHL.

When you watch him play, he’s a different player there (in the AHL) than he is here (in the NHL). He’s a dynamic player. That means the step is much smaller for him to come in and make a contribution.”

HONESTLY DEALING WITH HBO

The HBO cameras are everywhere and, while it will take the Leafs some getting used to, they seem at peace with it. Carlyle said no one is hiding and no one is holding back information or comment.

“I haven’t instructed our players to do anything along those lines at all,” said Carlyle. “I think our players have a responsibility to deal with the media in an open and honest form. I think everybody has their own way to deal with certain things that are going on. I think they’ve been hardened, weathered, professionalized in this market on things to say and things not to say.

“We maintain we’re going to be honest and fair and open as much as possible. You guys (in the media) might not think so. There are certain things that do have to remain in house. This is a little different experience when you have people inside your room.”

AROUND THE NHL

JOSH HARDING/WILD: The excellent season of Minnesota goalie Josh Harding continues. Harding improved to 13-1-0 at Xcel Energy Center this season with a 1.25 goals-against average and .945 save-percentage. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is the only goaltender in Wild/North Stars history to win 13 of his first 14 home decisions. He is now 34-10-2 in 46 career decisions in Saint Paul, including a 27-5-1 mark since Jan. 27, 2010. Harding has an overall record of 16-4-3 this season with a League-best 1.50 goals-against average. His 16 wins are tied for second.

MIKE SANTORELLI/CANUCKS: Forward Mike Santorelli is reborn with the Vancouver Canucks. Santorelli, who signed as a free agent in the off-season playing for the NHL minimum of $550,000, has 21 points in 32 games since joining the Canucks after recording 15 points (11-4-15) in his previous 94 contests.

PATRICE BERGERON/BRUINS: The Bruins manage to be a top team without a point-a-game centre. They have David Krejci on the top line (five goals, 19 assists) and Patrice Bergeron on the second (nine goals, seven assists). Bergeron might be the Bruins’ most complete player.

“He’s reliable night in, night out,” said Bruins coach Claude Julien. “You don’t see that in too many players like that any more, that everyday they come to the rink, they’re focused on their jobs. And focused on putting the effort in to be a successful player.

“He’s a guy that likes to have fun, but the minute he gets ready for a game or steps on the ice to practise for a game, it’s all business. There’s no ifs or buts about it. He may not have the best game every night, but you’ll always have the effort that comes from him on a nightly basis. A coach can’t ask for more than that.”

The Week That Was:

Dec. 3 vs. San Jose: Leafs lose 4-2.

Mason Raymond and Phil Kessel scored for the Leafs — both on the power play — and James Reimer stopped 37 shots, but the Sharks showed why they’re one of the elite teams in the West with goals from Brad Stuart, Mike Brown and Joe Thornton, with Logan Couture adding an empty-netter. Nazem Kadri missed the game to attend his grandfather’s funeral.

Dec. 5 vs. Dallas: Leafs win 3-2 (OT)

Jonathan Bernier stopped 48 of 50 shots and Trevor Smith scored in overtime on a deflection. Nazem Kadri scored twice in honour of his late grandfather.

Dec. 7 in Ottawa: Leafs win 4-3 in a shootout

It was Reimer’s turn to face 50 shots and a big night for James van Riemsdyk. He had a goal and two assists as well as the clincher in the shootout. The Canadian Tire Centre was packed with Leafs fans. Jake Gardiner and Phil Kessel also scored for the Leafs.

Dec. 8 vs. Boston: Leafs lose 5-2

The Maple Leafs finally meet a team that is as decimated by injuries as they were and it didn’t help. Milan Lucic was a one-man wrecking crew and back-up goalie Chad Johnson was good enough.

The Week That Will Be

Wednesday vs. Los Angeles Kings (7:30 p.m., TSN)

The Leafs get their first taste of the Los Angeles Kings, now being backstopped by a familiar face. Ben Scrivens has the No. 1 job in net with Jonathan Quick injured. It will be the second of back-to-back games for the Kings, who are making a journey through the Eastern Conference. The Kings are 6-1-3 in their last 10.

Thursday in St. Louis (8 p.m., Leafs-TV)

Toronto gets to face another ex-Maple Leafs in Alex Steen, now among the league leaders in goals and points. Steen already has 20 goals, but he only has three in his last 10 games. The Blues have slowed down a little bit, having lost three of their last four.

Saturday vs. Chicago (7 p.m., CBC)

If there is a better team in the NHL, we’re not sure who it is. The defending Stanley Cup champions started the week in first place in the overall standings and without any holes in their lineup. The Blackhawks may well end up sending the most Olympians to the most countries with the likes of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Marian Hossa, Niklas Hjalmarsson on the roster. Just for good measure, another ex-Leaf, Mike Kostka, is on the roster.

Dec. 17, 1930. A $5,000 cheque on this date, along with a $20,000 cheque on Oct. 6, 1930, two players and a racetrack longshot winner which returned $10,000 allowed the Leafs to pay Ottawa for King Clancy.

The Week ahead in the NHL

Tuesday, Dec. 10: The Bruins visit the Flames, marking the return of Jarome Iginla to Calgary.

Thursday, Dec. 12: The NHL officially takes over Michigan Stadium with the arrival of the NHL Winter Classic Ice Truck presented by York. The world’s largest mobile refrigeration unit departs Toronto Tuesday to make the 450-km journey to Ann Arbor.

Saturday, Dec. 14: HBO airs the first episode of “24/7 Red Wings/Maple Leafs: Road to the NHL Winter Classic.” Sportsnet airs the premiere episode the following night. It airs Sunday in Canada on Sportsnet.

Sunday, Dec. 15: The Kings play the Blackhawks for the first time since last season’s Western Conference Final.

Monday, Dec. 16: The 2013 SiriusXM Hockeytown Winter Festival, a 15-day-celebration of hockey leading up to the 2014 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic, begins with events and activities on ice at Comerica Park, Detroit.

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